Red, white and blue = Canines for Veterans

I was invited to be a vendor at a fund raiser event - "Pooches for Patriots" -  on November 19, 2011. It was held at the Charleston Rifle Club and proceeds benefitted the Canines for Veterans program which trains, then provides service dogs for disabled veterans. I shall quote from their website:

Canines for Veterans is a national program that provides Veterans with disabilities quality trained service dogs.  The program works with military prisoners at the Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston and teaches them how to train rescue dogs as service dogs for the wounded and injured Veteran.  Know as the “triple win” the Canines for Veterans program has twice been awarded a Newman’s Own Award for program innovations supporting our military and their families and has  recently been approved by the US Department of Labor as an apprenticeship program.

Launched in 2008, the program operates entirely on private donations. 
The program operated at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune until August 31, 2010.  As of September 1, 2010, the program has relocated to the Navy Consolidated Brig, Charleston, South Carolina.

A Canines for Veterans service dog is a constant assistant that can perform 70 commands to assist with everyday tasks for the wounded veteran, including:

• Retrieve and carry objects
• Pull their partner in a wheelchair, push elevator buttons and even transfer money at the grocery store.
• Provide social support by acting as a bridge to conversation and acceptance. When a service dog accompanies a wounded veteran, the focus is on the dog, not the disability.
• Provide balance and stability for an amputee or someone who has lost mobility.
• Be a source of love and companionship. Both the veteran and the dog are a team and make the transition back to independence together.

I had a great time with some great people, especially those special ones working with those amazing dogs. It was truly a heart-warming experience, aaand..., fingers crossed, I just might've gotten a commission or two.

The blue-purple iridescence of the sun on the back of a black crow

Going to Hunting Island State Park, located just outside Beaufort, SC , in order to get a photo of the light house, has long been on my bucket list (of things to see/do before I leave Charleston). Finally! at the beginning of November, Page and I went on our adventure. Little did we know that it would provide some of the best shots ever that we could get of crows.....

Shabbat Shalom! and the golden glow from candles in the menorahs

On that Friday night of Rockie's engagement party weekend (Oct 29th), Shirley asked me to go with her and Lewis to Shabbat services. Lewis is traditional and prefers a conservative synagogue : everything is said in Hebrew, men sit separately from the women, etc. Shirley does not like this at all. Lucky for her and me, the Tree of Life Congregation in Columbia, SC is of the reformed Judaism persuasion. Such a beautiful sanctuary! Vaulted ceilings, with stone on the walls behind the pulpit going all the way up to the ceiling. A dark purple curtain, equally as long, hung between the walls, behind which resided the torah. In front of each stone wall was a lit menorah. Unlike the conservative branch, where there isn't any kind of music, save for some chanting (by the men), we sang along together (there is writing in English under the Hebrew, so if the chorus was resung a couple of times, I could join in), and the rabbi even played the guitar! And, great, upbeat melodies - I loved it (and, Lewis hated it - oh, well....). Actually, it was just like going to church = basically looked the same, friendly people, lots of things for kids to do - I'm really glad I went....

The book that was used by the congregation is titled "Gates of Prayer for Shabbat and Weekdays." And, it is written (to non-Jews) backwards! In other words, the beginning of the book is where the end ususally is. On page 80 was written a silent prayer - I liked it so much that I went on line and purchased the book. Here is that prayer:

                             Silent Prayer

     These quiet moments of Shabbat open my soul. Blessed with another week of life, I give thanks to the One who creates and sustains me.
     For all the good I have known during the days that have passed, I am very grateful. I know that I have not always responded with my best effort, but often I did earnestly try. I have tried to give my family and friends love and devotion, and I pray that I may grow more loving as the years pass.
     Even as I regret my weaknesses, I rejoice in my accomplishments. Let these achievements, O God, lead to many others. May I be blessed on each Shabbat with the sense of having grown in goodness and compassion.
                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

chocolate brown, turquoise and white = the color of love....




Rockie and Brent

 

On October 29,2011, I got to celebrate the engagement of Rockie Smith to Brent Smith up in Irmo, SC. I've known Rockie for about 23 years - ever since I chose to take Travis to Children's World Day Care, lo those many years ago - where I met her mom, Shirley, who was the director at that time, and with whom I've become great friends. I absolutely adore Shirley, but, since she does live in Loughton, England, I don't get to see her that often. But, she does come state-side  twice a year to see her 2 girls, and we alway get together then. A couple of years ago, she even coordinated her fall trip so that she could attend Travis and Emory's wedding! A few more pics from that weekend follow......





 

(1) me and Shirley (2) Shirley and Lewis (3) Rockie and her sister, Nicole (4 & 5) only in SC - a train just yards away from the party site and the USC Gamecocks on TV DURING the engagement party! (6) a festive table (7) entertainer, Johnny Summers (8) autumn starts in Irmo (9) a bird heading for its nest

Donkey-ass gray, fluffy white cotton tails, pink and purple baboon bums

All behinds, just like me = I am so far behind on my blog entries. Calvin's week-long around the clock care and his subsequent passing really threw me for a loop and put my life askew. Trying to catch up on rescheduled appointments and classes. Going out of town, being a vendor! and a myriad of other things have gotten in the way and now the holidays are here (I am in Williamsburg at this very moment with Trav, Emory, Page and Jack for Thanksgiving) in addition to a portrait commission meant for a Christmas present, so who knows when I will be typing away here again. I just wanted to acknowledge the fact that I am quite aware of my delinquent entries. Till the next time.......

White - as in the white flag of surrender...

By the way, I noticed that after successfully placing my photos where they should be, saving the post and then viewing the post immediately and for a couple of days after and the photos were perfect---they MOVED!!!!!!!!!! All by themselves to different spots. So, I surrender, blogger photo-mover boogie man. You win, but I'm not perturbed by it anymore, and I shall continue my blog despite you.

An infinite array of colors, hues and shades

         I have finally come up with a design for my Face Book page, "Artful Creations" - I may even make it my logo...

         To quote from the Celtic Spiral Meaning page:
"The Spiral was the earliest known decoration used in art. The directional flow of the spiral symbolizes our movement through the experiences of life, death and rebirth. A clockwise spiral symbolizes the sun and represents growth, expansion, and positive cosmic energy."

Lucky me, I just happened to draw my spiral in the clockwise direction, though, it is said that there are no coincidences. I was drawn to the Spiral for some reason - perhaps it is because I am on two journeys simultaneously, one spiritual and the other artistic. Also, currently, I am going through a 3rd rebirth, of sorts. Well, it's more of a reawakening. Calvin's illness and subsequent death really threw me, both emotionally and physically (I barely had any sleep for a week). Being 58 and not 28 years of age, I'm just coming back, waking up, getting back to life. I've rescheduled classes and appointments that I had to forgo and am once again eager to get creating. And, I'm horribly behind on my blog! But, it reminds me of an Aerosmith song title: "Back in the Saddle Again."